Youth exchange event planned between two regions

From 19 to 23 October 2026, the Department of Urban Policy and Social Cohesion of the Petite-Terre Commune Council will host about twenty young people from the Educational Success Program (PRE) of Saint-Paul, Reunion Island, along with their supervisors. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between Saint-Paul and Petite-Terre.

Program aims to support at-risk youth

According to Soffie Said Hassani, this project was co-built with the PRE of Saint-Paul and is intended to support young people facing various difficulties, including those related to schooling, family, environment, health, and access to leisure and culture. The initiative was inspired by the desire of the young people to exchange with others in the Indian Ocean region.

Trip includes forty participants and varied activities

The trip involves approximately forty participants, including twenty young people from Saint-Paul and fifteen from Petite-Terre, accompanied by their supervisors. The program includes a variety of activities designed to allow the young people to discover the Mahorais territory, starting with visits to Lake Dziani and Moya Beach to observe local fauna and flora and raise awareness about the preservation of Petite-Terre's natural heritage.

Exploration of natural and cultural aspects

The following day will feature a boat trip to explore the Mayotte lagoon and its biodiversity, offering participants a chance to experience the region's maritime environment. On Thursday, the group will visit Mamoudzou, the capital of Petite-Terre, and Mahabou Point, an emblematic site, before ending the day at Faré.

Event encourages cultural exchange and future collaboration

Soffie Said Hassani emphasized that the goal is to allow the young people to step out of their comfort zones, discover another culture, and open themselves to new experiences. She also noted that the cooperation between Petite-Terre and Saint-Paul has the potential to continue in both directions, with the possibility of future exchanges where young people from Petite-Terre could visit Saint-Paul.